The players the Bulls should pick at 6 potential NBA draft spots

Tuesday night in Chicago, the pingpong-ball hopper will be turned on, number combinations will be created and the Bulls, like all lottery teams, will learn their draft position.

The Bulls own a 5.3 percent chance at the No. 1 pick, a 6 percent chance at the second pick, 7 percent chance at the third pick, 44 percent chance at the sixth pick and 33.1 percent chance at the seventh pick. In a worst-case scenario, they own a 4.5 percent chance of dropping two slots to the eighth pick and 0.1 percent chance of dropping three slots to nine.

Advertisement

Even for a team that overcame the second-longest odds in draft lottery history at 1.7 percent to win the top pick and draft Derrick Rose in 2008, the 0.1 percent chance is unrealistic enough to be ignored. But there's no ignoring how crucial it is for management to hit on this selection.

Thus, in the spirit of helpfulness, here's who the Bulls should take if they land at any of the other slots:

This is the consensus top pick. That it fills one of the Bulls' two biggest needs makes it all the more of a no-brainer.

Whether he reaches — or exceeds — the ceiling of his oft-used draft comp of David Robinson, Ayton possesses the size and athleticism to make him about as can't-miss a prospect as possible. Though he won't turn 20 until July, Ayton will be physically ready to handle NBA demands immediately.

Like many young players, his offense is ahead of his defense. He will need to learn to protect the rim more efficiently. But beyond joining Duke's Marvin Bagley III as the only two freshmen in the last 25 years to average 20 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field, he fits well alongside Lauri Markkanen. Though he has worked on his shooting range, he will be able to focus mostly on doing damage from 15 feet and closer playing with his fellow Arizona product.

No. 2: Marvin Bagley III, Duke, F, 6-11, 234

This would be no poor consolation prize. As mentioned above, Bagley's lone season under Mike Krzyzewski produced historic offensive numbers. Also like Ayton, he projects to be a versatile fit alongside Markkanen, particularly in today's NBA.

Coach Fred Hoiberg long has valued versatility in his big men, dating to Hoiberg's days running NBA-type sets at Iowa State. Bagley's high motor and elite athleticism project well. Like most young players, he needs to get stronger and improve defensively. And he doesn't possess the impressive wingspan of some other prospects. But he's the smart pick at No. 2.

No. 3: Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State, F, 6-11, 242

This assumes Ayton and Bagley are off the board. Most mock drafts list precocious Real Madrid star and Slovenia native Luka Doncic as a top-three pick. But here's why the Bulls should take a chance on Tyrus Thomas, er, Jackson.

Jackson possesses the potential to be an elite defensive player and tools to become an efficient two-way player. The Bulls know this well because his road roommate at Michigan State was Jack Hoiberg, Fred's son. His shot-blocking ability should only improve as he matures and gets stronger; he won't turn 19 until September. He also is adept at finishing with either hand.

Doncic is a tough pass, with some scouts projecting him to be the draft's top talent. He has been wowing European leagues from a young age and has drawn comparisons to Toni Kukoc, who turned out pretty well. But questions about his foot speed are legitimate.

This pick assumes Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Jackson and Texas big man Mo Bamba are off the board. The talk is abundant and already strong. Six is too high for Bridges. He's solid, not spectacular. He's another Luol Deng. Forget it all.

Whenever LeBron James finally slows — he will some day, right? — or heads west in free agency, here's who the Bulls still have to contend with in the Eastern Conference: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Victor Oladipo, DeMar DeRozan. Kris Dunn has shown signs of being an elite perimeter defender. Zach LaVine has not. The Bulls need all the perimeter defense help they can get. They also absolutely need to add a long-term starter with this pick. Bridges checks both boxes. In fact, executive vice president John Paxson almost sounded as if he were describing Bridges when detailing the team's biggest draft need last month.

Bridges also checks most of the boxes of the prototypical pick from the Paxson-Gar Forman regime. He played three years at a big-time program in big games. He also owns a 7-foot-2 wingspan, improved his scoring average dramatically and developed a consistent 3-point shot, albeit from the college distance.

Some fans have used the Deng comparison derisively . Given that Deng proved to be an indispensable two-way player and two-time All-Star for the Bulls, such talk doesn't make much sense.

There's also strong sentiment for Missouri's 6-10 freshman Michael Porter Jr., projected to be a potential No. 1 overall pick before suffering a serious back injury. Beyond the medical concerns, questions about his motor surfaced when he returned for limited late-season action. And while his shooting and skill level projects possibly to surpass that of Bridges, defensive concerns make the Villanova product the safer pick, particularly given Bridges' ability to guard multiple positions.

If Porter's medicals check out OK and he's off the board, this debate becomes Bridges versus Bamba. That's a tough one because Bamba, like Ayton, is a physical freak at an athletic 7-foot who has drawn comparisons to the Jazz's Rudy Gobert. But can he develop a consistent offensive game and motor?

No. 8: Wendell Carter Jr., Duke, C, 6-10, 259

Even if Oklahoma guard Trae Young and Alabama guard Collin Sexton are on the board, this is the safe pick. Sexton's fearlessness and aggressiveness are a tough pass, particularly because he likely can play alongside Dunn and LaVine.

Young is a polarizing prospect. Some scouts swear he's the next Stephen Curry. Others point to him being undersized and solved by game-planning as the college season progressed.

As for Carter, questions about his lateral quickness are legitimate. But his maturity, passing ability and versatility make him the choice. Then again, if the Bulls are debating on this pick, the lottery went awry.